GEE, IT'S THE 12th OF AUGUST ALREADY!

Hard Truths One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah the beauty of God's creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me. He asked me, "Do you love me?" I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Savior!" Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do, the things that I took for granted. And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You." Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?" I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do, the things that I took for granted. And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You." Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?" How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you." The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?" How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word." The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?" How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name. And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?" With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, "Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!" I thought I had answered well, but...

God asked, "THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"

I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect." "THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?" No answers. Only tears. The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?" The tears continued to roll down my cheeks. "Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?" I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give."You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all." "DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?" I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When I my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said,

"Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child." The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child." I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?" The Lord answered, "Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you." "When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever." Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, "How much do You love me?" The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior. And for the first time, I truly prayed.

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                     Who Am I - Casting Crowns (w/ lyrics) - YouTube

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             This is the Air I Breath_Michael W. Smith Lyrics - YouTube
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Yesterday, we put in a small tree with a brace that has plenty of landing room for the birds (inside their park.. it's 20 ft. by 22 ft.) plus we put them in three other places to land and sit (while flying) They have a large nest box and another one we are going to put in there, and they have their own special place to eat and drink (so that the chickens cannot get to them) THANKFULLY, THEY HAVE BEEN REALLY SINGING (COOING!) THANK YOU GOD, WE LOVE IT, AND LOVE THE LIVES YOU'VE CREATED! They seem really happy and rather well adjusted especially since we only brought them home late this past Friday night. AGAIN, THANKS MISS JANE FOR CONNECTING US TO "YOUR BOBBY" AND THANKS TO BOBBY FOR THE BIRDS.. "GOD BLESS"

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                              Count your Blessings - YouTube

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This morning we had to spend a few minutes to move the bantams out of the pen with the guineas.. they were chasing the guineas around and not allowing them to eat or drink.. So, we made double sure that they both got a special meal today all by themselves.. and fed the bantams over in their new house.. hopefully once they are larger, they will all get along really well! THANKS TO BOBBY W. AND HIS WIFE FOR THE GUINEAS, AND FOR THE BANTAMS.. we've enjoyed watching them.. so much better than watching TV..  AND ALWAYS, THANKS GOD!

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PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOURS TONIGHT AND NIGHTLY.. GOD BE WITH, BLESS AND GUIDE EACH OF YOU AND POUR HIS LOVE, AND GRACE UPON EACH OF YOU..  Sweet Peace (Original Song) - YouTube

                                      Louis Armstrong ~ What a wonderful world - YouTube

PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOURS TONIGHT AND NIGHTLY.. SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR JAKE AND FRANCES TOO.. PRAYERS FOR MRS TERRY ..  PRAYING FOR EVAN AND ALL THE CHILDREN WITH EB, CANCER AND EVERY OTHER DREADFUL DISEASES.. AND THEIR FAMILIES...PRAYING FOR EVERYONE WITH NASTY OLE CANCER.. SUCH A DREADFUL THING.. GOD COMFORT, HEAL AND BLESS EACH AND GRANT INNER PEACE TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS.. PRAYING FOR EVERYONE NEEDING A JOB AND (OR) THE WANT AND WILL TO WORK! SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR NORMAN, HIS JOB IS NOW NEARING THE END AGAIN.. BUT, "GOD'S IN CONTROL"..  UNSPOKEN PRAYERS FOR KAYLA, AND BETTY JO AND KRISTIN ON THEIR TRIP.. PRAYING FOR OUR COUNTRY AND GOD'S GUIDANCE UPON IT, AND UPON OUR LEADERS.. PRAYING FOR ALL OF OUR SOLDIERS AND THEIR SAFE AND QUICK RETURN HOME AND THEIR PEACE OF MINDS AND SOULS AND THAT OF THEIR FAMILIES.. PRAYING FOR OUR TRIP ON TUESDAY FOR WORK (help me not to be car sick (*_*) AND THAT WE WILL ENJOY OUR TIME TOGETHER, AND LEARN WHATEVER WE ARE NEEDED TO LEARN.. PRAYING FOR ALL THE "UNSPOKEN REQUEST, AND NEEDS" .. (and asking that you'll pray with us about ours) PRAYING ALSO FOR THE FOLKS AT "THE RETIREMENT AND NURSING HOMES" .. AND THANKING GOD FOR ALL HIS GOODNESS, HIS LOVE, GRACE, MERCIES, GUIDANCE, AND BLESSINGS.. THANK YOU GOD IN ALL THINGS IN JESUS HOLY NAME, AMEN..